Arguments for Appeasement

Appeasement was British policy towards Hitler throughout the 1930s. It involved granting Hitler’s demands in the hope that he would eventually become satisfied. There are a number of arguments in favour of such a policy.

1. Britain was afraid of Communism and Hitler was standing up to it, therefore many in Britain supported Hitler’s actions in this way.
2. No one wanted another world war after the devastation of the First World War, therefore, appeasement was a method to avoid a war.
3. Britain could not fight another war, the equipment Britain had was out of date and Britain did not have sufficient numbers to keep up a long war against Germany.
4. Britain could not count on the support of the Empire, Commonwealth or USA against Hitler, therefore a war would likely result in Britain losing.
5. Britain was dealing with economic problems linked to the Great Depression and a war would be a costly distraction therefore appeasement would allow governments to focus on the problems at home.
6. Many Britons felt that the Treaty of Versailles was unfair and that what Hitler was doing was justified. Public opinion tended to support the British Government's’ position.